Yeah... wayyyy too much One Stormy Night today. And they're also making way too much out of Stephanie secretly being the author. This had to have been a Ron/Jamey story that the new team was forced to continue and they really need to move onto something else for every character involved in this. All the ingredients are there to give all of them a better storyline. And yeah, Alex is a douche 😂

Luckily, Xander and Sarah's scenes really elevated today as a whole. Paul Telfer and Lindsey Godfrey continued to kill it. You could really feel the pain and emotion from both of them throughout their scenes. Sarah brought up a lot of interesting points about Xander's character that needed to be addressed, especially when she asked what would happen if the day ever came that she or Victoria ever made him as angry as Philip did. I don't think Xander would react the same way but that definitely needed to be said to him. And I'm glad that Sarah had Maggie to comfort her in the end. I'm looking forward to seeing where the two of them go from here. They really are like a modern day supercouple.

Philip comforting Xander was nice as well. Even though I still wouldn't mind them being enemies, I'm coming around to them actually living and respecting each other as brothers. 

And yeah, I still don't like Amy but I'm glad that she got to hold her grandson at least. Her trying to prevent Johnny and Chanel from adopting Tesoro could be interesting though.

Johnny staying on at Titan could be interesting as well.

Irregardless of character age, and obviously being in your late 30s is still an optimum time to conceive, on Days if two couples do the deed on the same night historically we are in for a baby swap of some sort.

In Sarah's defense she was blabbing to everyone who would listen, usually Brady, that she and Xander wanted a second baby so she probably went off birth control.

I know I've asked this before but who is Alex meant to appeal to, beyond his overexposed chest? There's no real charisma, no real acting ability, no real chemistry with anyone. He's surplus. I don't care how popular the serial killer doppelganger was a decade ago.

43 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

I know I've asked this before but who is Alex meant to appeal to, beyond his overexposed chest? There's no real charisma, no real acting ability, no real chemistry with anyone. He's surplus. I don't care how popular the serial killer doppelganger was a decade ago.

I think the chest is supposed to carry the character for us. The novelty of that wore off about eight years ago for me, but here we are.

Also, I just waded through this ridiculous back-and-forth about women in their late 30s (if that's even the age these characters are) conceiving children, and I keep seeing people mention that Sophia committed arson by starting the dorm fire. Did she?! We saw Holly knock the candle into the trashcan. I feel like I'm hallucinating. Was this revealed at some point?

So, has Hank Northrop debuted yet? I thought it was happening this week.

52 minutes ago, Michael said:

I keep seeing people mention that Sophia committed arson by starting the dorm fire. Did she?! We saw Holly knock the candle into the trashcan. I feel like I'm hallucinating. Was this revealed at some point?

I think Sophia lit the candle, but Holly knocked the candle in the trashcan.  I don't know if arson was Sophia's plan because a lot of things had to go right for that to work out lol.  So, no, Sophia didn't start the fire.

Holly's pity party about probation was odd.  She took illegal drugs, OD'd, ended up in a coma, and had Tate take the fall, but this is worse.  Holly was drinking underage before Sophia spiked her drink and she should get in trouble.

I’ve finally caught up to October and Sophia reeeeeeeally pisses me off. It’s crazy because her lies and machinations with the text messages and trying to come between Tate and Holly and ruin things for Johnny/Chanel are so easy to disprove. I need her to get her comeuppance ASAP.

5 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

I need her to get her comeuppance ASAP.

I mean... I don't want to spoil anything for you, but, Sophia does not escape soap justice.

5 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I know I've asked this before but who is Alex meant to appeal to, beyond his overexposed chest? There's no real charisma, no real acting ability, no real chemistry with anyone. He's surplus. I don't care how popular the serial killer doppelganger was a decade ago.

The guy who it appealed to the most was fired last year 😂😂😂

I admit, I do find RSW hot but the constant propping and shoving him down our throats ruined both characters for me, which is probably why I’m already rooting for Jeremy a little.

Luckily, the new team has backburnered Alex for the most part. He’s not even shirtless that much anymore 😂

And even though I thought Alex was douchy today, I prefer that he’s written that way because it plays into RSW’s acting style. He works better as the villain, not the good guy/hero/romantic lead/alpha stud that RC wanted him to be. And there’s a lot more drama that can be mined from writing him like that as well. Him and Stephanie are boring as a couple, and I’m hoping that this means there’s a change coming for them. 

Edited October 24Oct 24 by AbcNbc247

Back in the day, even an unlit candle in the dorm room was a big offense.   

But, I agree, it didn't look like Sophia entered the room with an intent to start a fire. Looking back, it even makes her plan more dumb.  She could've snapped Holly's bra pix, time-delay texted it to Johnny, and snuck out before anyone saw her, and without need to steal the phone.  But, again, that's why I am a bit sympathetic toward Sophia.  Her impulses, in retrospect, were influenced by trauma.

[post-script] I just finished Friday, and I'm certain to have more reactions later.  However, IRL, I've never had the impulse to throw anything so it would break (like Xander and his vase).  But, he made it look cathartic (the impulse, not the breaking, since they made such a heavy-handed point of him not throwing it).  I get it, but I don't have anything I'm willing to throw, and it would probably freak out my neighbors.  Of all the soap nonsense, throwing a vase is one I'd like to try.  That, and always having a magically filled ice bucket in the living room.

I'm not sure why they doubled back on Sarah & Xander's break-up.  But, hopefully we'll get divorce settlement drama, and not the silly "make 'em jealous" story we got after the initial breakup. -- forcing myself to not look ahead.

And, not to open old wounds, but today makes the point that Brady and Johnny currently have the same concerns (what should they do for a living), and they both complain it about.  But, it seems so much more desperate for Brady to be at a crossroads in his career than Johnny, because Brady is a single father of two, and needs to get his tush in gear, and find a purpose.  Why doesn't he sing? Both Brady's love to perform. -- Also, hasn't Carrie worked in legal at Basic Black in Europe for years now?  Why not let her take it over?  She probably cares about it more, even if John wasn't her father. 

I enjoyed Alex/Johnny/Chanel/Stephanie in the pub.  It felt natural.  The setting was correct.  But, Alex and Johnny seem to have smoothed over their tiff off-screen.  I recall Johnny having a poor opinion of Alex, after he found about Chanel, Alex, and Allie's ménage à trois.  I don't mind it.  But, their chumminess has not been explored.  Yet, it seems realistic to have a beer with a dude you don't enjoy because your wife is friends with his girlfriend.

Final though for this post.  I don't know if Sarah should call Justin as a divorce attorney.  Xander is his first cousin, and Justin has an interest in Titan.  I think she should go with either Belle, or even Melinda.  They'd fight for her.  And, it would be super juicy if Maggie could use shares Sarah won in the divorce to gain even more influence over Xander and Philip.

Edited October 24Oct 24 by j swift

I'm not trying to sound like his defender, but RSW as Alex has an all too real world familiarity to him. We all know a straight guy just like him in real life for better or worse. The show got a genuine chuckle out of me with Philip's creative phrasing about realizing Stephanie was Anastasia Sands, and Alex's reaction, especially later on with Stephanie, felt so true. He's trying his best to keep his composure, but he's jealous and a bit possessive, and RSW plays that anger well. I swear if Chad adds to the debacle, Alex is going to explode and I'd be excited to see him go off, and where that could lead him or Stephanie. I don't have the chemistry issue with him others may, but that's all subjective, of course, and at the end of the day he (and Stephanie) would be on my eventual axe list.

Sarah and Xander's dramas had me glued to the screen once again. This whole story, literally going on a year now!, has been a complete hit for me. Still one of the strongest parts of the show. That moment we saw Xander control himself from losing control was very important to show us how far he's truly come. Still, I was a bit miffed when Sarah was listing off his prior crimes that Eric and Nicole weren't mentioned since that was his first big story. 

The actress playing Amy has always been good so I have no problem with her being a thorn in Johnny and Chanel's hopes to adopt Tesoro. I wonder if this will push Chanel to fight dirty and let EJ help them, and if that's the case, I would hope it blow up in her face. 

Also, hair experts let me know, Suzanne Rogers' gorgeous hair isn't all naturally hers right? That's extension magic? Do people, lads or ladies, of her certain age ever have that quality of hair naturally ever?

Edited October 24Oct 24 by Bright Eyes

I concur that Alex is slightly more complex, and certainly less problematic than Ben.

He's cute.  The accent is thick, and funny within the context of Salem, but hardly offensive (reminds me of early KA's thick accent - go back to Bo rescuing her from the wedding, she sounds like a Boston-southie Housewife).  And when he wears a shirt, it so tight that it might as well be see-through.  Also, he's usually reactive to his partner's story, rather than anchoring the action.  For example, his fraud inheritance story was focused on Theresa.  And, his complications with Stephanie have mostly been due to her conflicts.  So, I never feel like it is the Days of Alex's Life.

I think there's character work to be done in how he fits into the Xander/Philip dynamic.  They are such charismatic players, Alex often looks like a third wheel.  They tried to make him friends with Chad for a moment when they played catch, but that's not gone anywhere.  He's been a jerk to Brady and most other guys.  So, he needs more time with Steve, or Maggie, or even gfb Bonnie, to reposition his charm.

I would say that in terms of conventionally handsome soap hunks, we could do worse.  And there are undoubtedly more pressing concerns with regard to dead weight characters like Rafe.

Edited October 24Oct 24 by j swift

2 hours ago, Bright Eyes said:

He's trying his best to keep his composure, but he's jealous and a bit possessive, and RSW plays that anger well. 

And it worked well today. Letting those character traits influence his storyline is a perfect way to build conflict for him and Stephanie and could possibly lead to Stephanie seeking comfort elsewhere lol she has so many potential suitors on the canvas.

1 hour ago, j swift said:

I think there's character work to be done in how he fits into the Xander/Philip dynamic.  They are such charismatic players, Alex often looks like a third wheel.  They tried to make him friends with Chad for a moment when they played catch, but that's not gone anywhere.  He's been a jerk to Brady and most other guys.  So, he needs more time with Steve, or Maggie, or even gfb Bonnie, to reposition his charm.

I wished that they had pitted Alex against Xander and Philip and had him try to undermine Titan or something. I never bought that he was so fine with giving everything over to Xander after everyone found the truth about who Victor's son was. And if they hadn't gotten rid of Theresa, it could have also caused tension between him and Brady, Tate, etc.

I despised the serial killer but I’ve always been a Kiriakis family fan so Alex doesn’t bother me. Especially since Alex isn’t a serial killer that is pushed as a hero and if you call out he’s a serial killer you’re yelled at by his psycho wife.